Without Vernon Philander and Chris Morris, South Africa will be left in a combination conundrum

Potchefstroom in September is not the sort of Test match that sides build towards. The sleepy student town is about as low key a venue for a South African Test as you get, and the country's cricket fans are barely emerging from hibernation at this time of year. News of a Test against Bangladesh in 'Potch' in September would normally drive them back into their lairs.

This time is a little different, with both teams seeking some new beginnings. While South Africa are hoping to consign a tough tour of England to the back of their minds and embrace a sense of renewal under new coach Ottis Gibson, Bangladesh have a rare opportunity to convert their fast-improving home form into away performances.

By the end of the fourth Test at Old Trafford last month, South Africa were looking ragged. Injuries and illness had not allowed them to settle into a rhythm in the final two Tests, with the batsmen enduring a torrid series in which only one batsman scored a hundred. The batting order was shuffled constantly, a well-balanced side remained elusive and the bowlers often flattered to deceive. Russell Domingo was a dead coach walking, his plight worsening when the identity of his successor was leaked midway through the match.

The past seven weeks have afforded some distance and clarity. The Manchester drizzle has given way to bright Potch sunshine and the world does not feel quite so bad after all. Some problems still remain, but there is time to work on them before the tougher assignments of India and Australia next year. South Africans love nothing more than a young prodigy, and Aiden Markram's selection to open alongside Dean Elgar has permitted a sense that the future could be bright.

The sudden dearth of fit fast bowlers aside, the main concern is the ever-present issue of balancing the team. For the vast majority of Tests since Jacques Kallis' retirement nearly four years ago, South Africa opted to play seven batsmen and four frontline bowlers. In England they changed things up, playing Vernon Philander and Chris Morris in the same team, and it worked when both were fully fit in Nottingham.

Now neither are available, and the dilemma has returned. Will they go back to seven batsmen, or will the uncapped Andile Phehlukwayo be given an opportunity to be the allrounder the team needs? Ahead of the first Test, captain Faf du Plessis suggested that South Africa would like to trial both options during the series if conditions allow.

Du Plessis confirmed that he had asked for a pitch with "pace and bounce" at Senwes Park, and the surface remained under cover on Wednesday (September 27) as the groundsman looked to preserve its moisture in a dry climate. It may generally be one of the flatter pitches in the country, but it will still offer Bangladesh the test that they must be relishing.

While previous Bangladesh sides may have been cowed by the prospect of trips to South Africa - they have lost all four Tests here by an innings - the current crop have progressed to the point where this trip can be embraced. Given their rising stature, such chances to prove themselves further have been all too rare for Bangladesh. They have not played Tests in South Africa, Australia or England since 2010.

In January, they played Tests in New Zealand for the first time in seven years and showed how far they have come, scoring 595 for eight declared after being stuck in to bat in the first Test. A second-innings collapse allowed New Zealand to win the match, and confirm that Bangladesh still have work to do. How they go against a Proteas seam attack that has lacked its usual bite, and which will be missing Dale Steyn and Philander, will be one of the sub-plots of the series.

When: September 28 - October 2, 08:00 GMT; 13:30 IST

Where: Senwes Park, Potchefstroom

What to expect: If the first round of Sunfoil Series fixtures are anything to go by, South Africa's pitches are still dormant from the winter. All three games produced high-scoring draws, and it would be no surprise to see a relatively flat deck at Senwes Park, which is not traditionally one of South Africa's quicker surfaces. The weather forecast looks patchy, with rain predicted for Sunday and Monday.

South Africa

Although Wayne Parnell passed his fitness test, Faf du Plessis said he was unlikely to play. Instead there is a toss-up between Theunis de Bruyn and Andile Phehlukwayo for the last place. If there is a tinge of green on the pitch, South Africa will opt for the extra batsman. If it looks flat, Phehlukwayo will make his Test debut.

Tamim Iqbal has overcome the thigh injury he had picked up in the tour match last week and is expected to open, but Soumya Sarkar is a doubt due to his shoulder problem. If Soumya fails his fitness test then Imrul Kayes will open alongside Tamim, with Liton Das coming into the side to bat three.

- Potchefstroom has only hosted one Test before - on Bangladesh's first tour of South Africa in 2002. The game lasted just three days, with South Africa winning by an innings and 160 runs.

- Bangladesh most recent Test in South Africa, back in 2008, also lasted three days as they were thrashed by an innings at Centurion.

What they said:

"It feels like a new beginning with the same people. We will be settling in and this match will help immensely." - Kagiso Rabada.

"We will miss Shakib (al Hasan), but there are some guys who have come in and have an opportunity, and who are capable of doing well in these conditions. As a group we are confident." - Mushfiqur Rahim.

Last edited by Bhumin on Wed Sep 27, 2017 6:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I think its more shame you can not watch live games when your MRS at home? You are the men.boss of the house I was watching Evin Lewis innings,i told my WIFE,'' honey, sorry not today but only at night''

The form of Test cricket is generally considered as the most prestigious form of the game and scoring good amount of runs for the team is every batsman’s dream. Here are some unlucky players who have been dismissed for a 199 mark in their careers.

1. Mudassar Nazar Mudassar Nazar was the first man to get dismissed on an individual score of 199 against India at Faisalabad in the year 1984. Nazar eventually played 76 tests for Pakistan scoring 4114 runs for his country.

2. M Azharuddin M. Azharuddin was the first Indian player to get to the pavilion on a score of 199. He faced this “unlucky experience” against Sri Lanka in the year 1986 in Kanpur. Azhar completed 99 tests scoring 6215 runs for the Indian cap.

3. Matthew Elliott The left-handed Australian batsman was dismissed for 199 against England in 1997 at Leeds. He played 21 matches for Australia and scored a good 1172 runs for the team.

4. Sanath Jayasuriya The ace Sri Lankan batsman too achieved this score of 199 against India at Colombo in the year 1997. The all-rounder played 110 tests for Sri Lanka in which he scored 6973 runs.

5. SR Waugh The talented Australian created these figures in the year 1999 against West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados. He scored heaps of runs for his Australian side. His statistics read a massive 10927 runs in 168 matches.

6. Younis Khan Younis Khan went on to make a 199 in a match against India at Lahore in 2006. The talented batsman produced 8547 runs with the willow from 98 matches.

7. Ian Bell The English batsman showed his class against South Africa at Lord’s in the year 2008. He is still a part of the England side and has made 7345 runs from 110 tests.

8. Steven Smith The most talented unorthodox batsman of the modern era too got dismissed on a well played 199 runs against West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica during the last series played vs wI. Before this match he scored 2334 runs in 27 matches in his career for the Australian side.

9. K Rahul 199 vs England 2017

10.Dean Elgar199 vs Bangladesh at Potchefstroom's test 2017

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Last edited by Bhumin on Fri Sep 29, 2017 4:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

He was off the field for 49 mins before the declaration so could not bat till 49 mins after the Bangladesh innings started. Same thing happened in the D/N test in Adelaide last year, Warner went of the field for a while and Du Plessis(same captain) noticed and declared the innings and Khawaja had to open.

He was off the field for 49 mins before the declaration so could not bat till 49 mins after the Bangladesh innings started. Same thing happened in the D/N test in Adelaide last year, Warner went of the field for a while and Du Plessis(same captain) noticed and declared the innings and Khawaja had to open.

I'm just too lazy to think now but I recall Gordon Greenidge getting run out for 93 on Test debut. This was the first Test ever hosted by Bangalore.Got 107 in the second innings, so still ended up a centurion on debut, but could have been century in each innings.

Other names that come to mind - Frank Worrell and Arthur Chipperfield.

I'm just too lazy to think now but I recall Gordon Greenidge getting run out for 93 on Test debut. This was the first Test ever hosted by Bangalore.Got 107 in the second innings, so still ended up a centurion on debut, but could have been century in each innings.

Other names that come to mind - Frank Worrell and Arthur Chipperfield.

Like Strauss but I think Strauss was run out for 86 rather than in the 90s

There's no way you just pulled chipperfield out of your hat there raja you must have looked him up

I'm just too lazy to think now but I recall Gordon Greenidge getting run out for 93 on Test debut. This was the first Test ever hosted by Bangalore.Got 107 in the second innings, so still ended up a centurion on debut, but could have been century in each innings.

Other names that come to mind - Frank Worrell and Arthur Chipperfield.

Like Strauss but I think Strauss was run out for 86 rather than in the 90s

There's no way you just pulled chipperfield out of your hat there raja you must have looked him up

Haha.

No, I didn't need to look him up. He is famous for being dismissed for 99 on debut.

I think I've mentioned before that David Frith book on 100 years of the Ashes. Thanks to that book, my knowledge of the Ashes (and Ashes players) is reasonably good. Pre-war, post-war, doesn't matter. :-)

Bhumin wrote:Is that John Hempshire completes 100 on debut or out in 89

I think still no news after tea at Potchefstroom but M Morkal may be out of this test ,with SIDE STRAIN

John Hampshire did get a hundred on debut. Didn't get too many chances to play for England though.Frank Hayes of Lancs also got a hundred on debut, but had an astonishingly poor run thereafter. His must be one of the strangest Test records of them all.

Bhumin wrote:Is that John Hempshire completes 100 on debut or out in 89

I think still no news after tea at Potchefstroom but M Morkal may be out of this test ,with SIDE STRAIN

John Hampshire did get a hundred on debut. Didn't get too many chances to play for England though.Frank Hayes of Lancs also got a hundred on debut, but had an astonishingly poor run thereafter. His must be one of the strangest Test records of them all.

Yes my friend, you have good memory on Frank Hayes.i really enjoyed your every post.Kripal Singh of India about same as F Hayes but Hayes 138 runs in 16 innings very poor I think after 100 on debut

Frank Hayes reminded me J Hayes of NZ,who took 26 wickets in eng.season but returned back with injury.John Read Rates him Fastest in English seasons of 1949

Kripal helped Madras win a Ranji trophy win in 1954 ,next year his debut test, he hits 100 vs NZ ( J Hayes was fearful fast bowler who accounted MANKAD/Manjrekar) but KRIPAL did little in next few tests, he died in Tamil Nadu before his 54 th birthday, I think he and V Raman both hits triple century in 3 day game in the same innings at PANJI.

I think RE Foster was great 287 ( all his 7 brother played for Worcestershire plus R.Foster was only England captain in both Football and Cricket) on debut but I wonder how many player hits century in their first two test.i think Alvin Kallicharan, Rohit Sharma and Azheruddin plus more but Azheruddin only one with 3 in 3 test vs. England

I'm just too lazy to think now but I recall Gordon Greenidge getting run out for 93 on Test debut. This was the first Test ever hosted by Bangalore.Got 107 in the second innings, so still ended up a centurion on debut, but could have been century in each innings.

Other names that come to mind - Frank Worrell and Arthur Chipperfield.

One more!!

Robert Christiani's 99 on debut for Westindies vs England in Bridgetown 1948 test

BD overnight 49 for 3, Lost last 7 for 41 more.Keshav took 4 and 3 by Rabada.I think BD managed 96 in the 4 th innings here vs Kallis some 15 years ago.so Kayes scored 32 out of 90.cong.SAafrica for 1/0 for 333 runs win

Last edited by Bhumin on Mon Oct 02, 2017 1:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.